DIY Acrylic ATO Container Help Needed

[drstratton]

I would like to make at least a 10g acrylic ATO container. Do I need to use a specific type of acrylic? Can I just use Weld-on or is there something better? How thick should the panels be? I'm thinking of using black on all but one end which will be clear and marked with measurement lines! Thanks?

 

[143MPCo]

@Floyd R Turbo is a great resource for info on this topic, he also has a thread related to DIY acrylic projects and "how to".

 

[143MPCo]

Here it is: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

 

[booth2010]

Im sure someone will correct me if im wrong, but for that small I don't think it really matters which type of acrylic you use. Weld-on will work just fine, that's whats used on everything else generally. Do you have an idea of the dimensions yet? 1/4" would probably work fine, it really depends on the height of the container.

 

[drstratton]

@Floyd R Turbo is a great resource for info on this topic, he also has a thread related to DIY acrylic projects and "how to".

Here it is: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/acrylic-fabrication-q-a.224773/

Thank you, I appreciate all of the help you've given me with my projects!

 

[drstratton]

Im sure someone will correct me if im wrong, but for that small I don't think it really matters which type of acrylic you use. Weld-on will work just fine, that's whats used on everything else generally. Do you have an idea of the dimensions yet? 1/4" would probably work fine, it really depends on the height of the container.

I haven't really measured yet. I have a space at the end of my tank where I want to set it! Measuring will be my next step and an important one!!! Thanks for you help!

 

[steve&mari]

I need to start thinking about doing a dosing/ato myself soon. The container I use for ato works fine but getting into sps I'll be dosing at some point.

 

[drstratton]

I need to start thinking about doing a dosing/ato myself soon. The container I use for ato works fine but getting into sps I'll be dosing at some point.

I've been looking at ATO containers and they are very nice, but I just don't feel like I can afford to spend what they want for them. We live on a single income and my husband is very generous in doing what I need for my tank, so I try to find ways to save money however I can! Of course, when I find a project it usually involves him, so it costs him one way or another! That being said, this is something I would like to learn how to do mostly by myself and on my own time, during the day when he's out there working hard to support us!

 

[TheEngineer]

I've been wanting to make one too! Let's do it together!

 

[TheEngineer]

Well in the virtual sense, together.

 

[drstratton]

I've been wanting to make one too! Let's do it together!

Well in the virtual sense, together.

Lol, sounds like a plan! Are you ready to get started or are you just in the planning stages like I am?

 

[TheEngineer]

I'm ready to figure it out. Don't have any materials, but I know where I want it to go and the dimensions I want.

 

[drstratton]

I'm ready to figure it out. Don't have any materials, but I know where I want it to go and the dimensions I want.

You're further along than I am then! Plus, I will be a little bit further out getting this started. We are working on a small equipment shelving system to set beside my tank and clean up the mess of wires and equipment. This is the next step to getting everything looking nice and where I want it! So if you start before I do, post a build thread link here! I'll do the same!

 

[reefwiser]

This really doesn't have to be made out of acrylic or anything other that a Food grade container. I use a Dog food container with a lid that is fantastic for this use.

This one is a 5 gallon model with fit in my stand drilled two holes in the back of the lid one for the power cord and one for the water line of the tunze ATO pump.
Works great holds a week's worth of water.

 

[TheEngineer]

I'd like something polished looking that fits in an open space in my stand. Right now my ATO container is a 2.5g water dispenser and I hate seeing it.

 

[Rybren]

This really doesn't have to be made out of acrylic or anything other that a Food grade container. I use a Dog food container with a lid that is fantastic for this use.

This one is a 5 gallon model with fit in my stand drilled two holes in the back of the lid one for the power cord and one for the water line of the tunze ATO pump.
Works great holds a week's worth of water.

I use an 8 gallon version of this on my system. I especially like the flip-up portion. It makes refilling a breeze.

 

[drstratton]

I'm using a 5g salt bucket! I add almost a gallon every day! I would really like at least 10g. If I could hide this under my stand the dog food container would work fantastic, but this will be sitting beside my stand until I do a new build and I have no idea when that will happen! So I want to make it as icecool2 said more polished!

 

[drstratton]

I use an 8 gallon version of this on my system. I especially like the flip-up portion. It makes refilling a breeze.

Hi Jerry! I can see where this would work really well!

 

[steve&mari]

We're using a 2.5 gallon water container fits stand but wanted to dose also later on so need compartments. This will take a add-on to side of stand while doing same add-on on the other end for controllers pc8's modules to clean them up. Hopefully it's nice when finished lol.

 

[TheEngineer]

I emailed our sponsor, Total Plastics, for a quote on the materials to make mine. I'll let you know how pricing is.